Total enrollment
6,546
-58 (-1%) vs SY 2020-21
Branch County
Michigan · Public K-12
Branch County runs 18 public K-12 schools per the latest NCES counts, with an average school size of about 364 students. By level, that breaks down as 7 elementary, 3 middle, and 6 high schools.
4-year change in Branch County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
16
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Branch County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Michigan | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 6,546 | #35 of 73 | #1,105 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 16 | #44 of 73 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 18.3:1 | #68 of 73 | #2,483 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 58.1% | #19 of 73 | #1,197 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 30.0% | #32 of 73 | #1,805 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Branch County school rankings
Residents
45,300
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
18
7 districts
Enrollment
6,546
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$63,724
Below Michigan avg
Free/reduced lunch
58.1%
Above Michigan avg
Elementary
7
2,416 students
Middle
3
1,206 students
High
6
2,162 students
Combined / other
2
762 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Coldwater Community Schools
2,813 students · 7 districts in Branch County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Branch County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
17.3%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.7%
civilian labor
Median age
41
23.5% under 18
Test scores in Branch County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 8 schools ranked. Michigan state average: 47.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Union City Middle School· 41.2%
- Quincy Middle School· 40.5%
- Legg Middle School· 39.3%
- Ryan Elementary School· 38.7%
- Jefferson Elementary School· 36.6%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Pansophia Academy· 27.1%
- Jennings Elementary School· 34.9%
- Lakeland Elementary School· 36.5%
- Jefferson Elementary School· 36.6%
- Ryan Elementary School· 38.7%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coldwater High School | Coldwater | High | 09-12 | 981 | · |
| Legg Middle School | Coldwater | Middle | 06-08 | 616 | · |
| Bronson JrSr High School | Bronson | High | 06-12 | 530 | · |
| Pansophia Academy | Coldwater | Combined | KG-12 | 514 | · |
| Larsen Elementary School | Coldwater | Elementary | KG-01 | 463 | · |
| Jennings Elementary School | Quincy | Elementary | KG-05 | 408 | · |
| Jefferson Elementary School | Coldwater | Elementary | 02-03 | 378 | · |
| Lakeland Elementary School | Coldwater | Elementary | 04-05 | 375 | · |
| Union City Elementary School | Union City | Elementary | PK-04 | 359 | · |
| Quincy High School | Quincy | High | 07-12 | 346 | · |
| Quincy Middle School | Quincy | Middle | 05-08 | 345 | · |
| Union City High School | Union City | High | 09-12 | 305 | · |
| Waldron Learning Center | Coldwater | Combined | PK-12 | 248 | · |
| Union City Middle School | Union City | Middle | 05-08 | 245 | · |
| Ryan Elementary School | Bronson | Elementary | 03-05 | 217 | · |
| Anderson Elementary School | Bronson | Elementary | KG-02 | 216 | · |
| Branch Area Careers Center | Coldwater | High | 11-12 | 0 | · |
| Lakeland Correctional Facility | Coldwater | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Branch County
About Branch County
Branch County is a sparse county of about 45,300 residents in Michigan. Its public-school system teaches approximately 6,546 students across 18 schools.
In context, census numbers show median household income runs near $63,724, about 17% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the federal-poverty share is near 10%.
In terms of grade levels, Branch County comprises 7 elementary schools (2,416 students), 3 middle schools (1,206), 6 high schools (2,162), and 2 combined or other schools.
Coldwater Community Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 2,813 students on its own.
Over the past 4-year window. Total public-school enrollment in Branch County has held roughly steady since SY 2020-21, moving from about 6,604 students to 6,546.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Branch County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data